Ferrari confirm Giovinazzi as 2017 reserve

Ferrari have revealed that 2016 GP runner-up Antonio Giovinazzi will serve as the team’s third driver next season.

Giovinazzi, 23, spent time in the Scuderia’s F1 simulator earlier this year and is expected to resume that programme early in 2017 before driving Ferrari’s latest car during in-season testing.

The Italian, who has yet to confirm his racing plans for next season, narrowly lost out on the 2016 GP2 crown to Red Bull Junior Pierre Gasly, despite taking five race wins to the Frenchman’s four in what was his rookie campaign in the series.

He previously impressed in the European Formula Three championship, where he finished runner-up in 2015 ahead of the likes of 2017 Williams racer Lance Stroll.